U.S. patent application number 10/822013 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for edge connector for field changeable graphics system.
Invention is credited to Buffington, Charles E., Diamond, Michael B., Dowdall, Craig E., Driscoll, Daniel J..
Application Number | 20050227527 10/822013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34965811 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050227527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diamond, Michael B. ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Edge connector for field changeable graphics system
Abstract
One embodiment of an edge connector for a field changeable
graphics system includes a right angle edge connector having a
plurality of contact pins adapted to engage contacts on a graphics
card. The edge connector is adapted to interface the graphics card
with the motherboard of a computing device, without directly
mounting the graphics card to the motherboard. One advantage of the
disclosed edge connector is that it is compatible with a plurality
of graphics cards and systems, thereby enabling a computing device
user to upgrade the existing device's graphics system. Thus, the
user is not forced to purchase an entirely new computing device in
order to take advantage of graphics innovations. A further
advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it enables
upgrades to low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) features,
without the need for additional costly devices capable of operating
at LVDS data rates.
Inventors: |
Diamond, Michael B.; (Los
Gatos, CA) ; Driscoll, Daniel J.; (Spring, TX)
; Dowdall, Craig E.; (Santa Clara, CA) ;
Buffington, Charles E.; (Santa Clara, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOSER, PATTERSON & SHERIDAN L.L.P.
595 SHREWSBURY AVE, STE 100
FIRST FLOOR
SHREWSBURY
NJ
07702
US
|
Family ID: |
34965811 |
Appl. No.: |
10/822013 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/185 20130101;
G06F 1/184 20130101; G06F 3/14 20130101; G06F 1/186 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/325 |
International
Class: |
H01R 013/62 |
Claims
1. Connector for interfacing a graphics system to a computing
device motherboard comprising: a plurality of connector pins
adapted for routing signals from a motherboard to a
field-changeable graphics card, wherein a first connector pin of
the plurality of connector pins is adapted to detect the presence
of the field-changeable graphics card and to cause the signals to
be routed accordingly.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is a right-angle
edge connector mounted to the motherboard.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises 230
connector pins.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein a voltage detected by the
first connector pin indicates a mode of the interfaced graphics
system.
5. The connector of claim 4, wherein a high voltage detected by the
first connector pin indicates that a passive loop-through card is
interfaced to the connector.
6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the connector is adapted to
cause a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) signal to be
routed from a driver through the loop-through card to an LVDS
display panel.
7. The connector of claim 5, wherein the connector is adapted to
cause a digital video interface (DVI) signal to be routed from a
driver through the loop-through card to a DVI display panel.
8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the loop-through card
comprises a transmission minimized differential signaling (TMDS)
transmitter for driving TMDS outputs on DVI signals.
9. The connector of claim 4, wherein a low voltage detected by the
first connector pin indicates that an active graphics card is
interfaced to the connector.
10. The connector of claim 10, wherein the connector is adapted to
cause a peripheral component interface (PCI) express signal to be
routed from a driver to the active graphics card.
11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the active graphics card is
adapted to receive the PCI express signal from the driver in order
to generate a plurality of output display signals.
12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the active graphics card is
adapted to generate low voltage differential signaling (LVDS),
digital video interface (DVI), television (TV) and video graphics
array (VGA) signals.
13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured
to allow a user of a computing device to replace a graphics system
post-assembly.
14. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is adapted to
allow a manufacturer to configure a single motherboard for at least
two different graphics modes.
15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is further
adapted to maintain a graphics card in a substantially parallel,
spaced apart relation relative to the motherboard.
16. Apparatus comprising: a motherboard usable in a laptop
computing device; a central processing unit mounted to the
motherboard; an integrated graphics processor (IGP) mounted to the
motherboard; a field-changeable graphics card interfaced to the
motherboard; and a plurality of stuffing resistors adapted for
interfacing the field-changeable graphics card to a plurality of
output display panels, wherein the field-changeable graphics card
resides in an independent, spaced-apart relation relative to the
motherboard.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further
comprises an edge connector mounted to the motherboard and
comprising a plurality of connector pins adapted for engaging the
field-changeable graphics card in order to route signals from the
motherboard to the field-changeable graphics card.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the field-changeable
graphics card is a passive loop-through card.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a first set of stuffing
resistors is adapted to interface the passive loop-though card to
an output display panel for low voltage differential signaling
(LVDS) signals.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a first connector pin on the
edge connector is adapted to cause the LVDS signals to be routed
from a driver, through the passive loop-through card and to an LVDS
output display panel.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first set of stuffing
resistors is further adapted to interface the passive loop-through
card to an output display panel for digital video interface (DVI)
signals.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the passive loop-through
card further comprises a transmission minimized differential
signaling (TMDS) transmitter for driving TMDS outputs on DVI
signal.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first set of stuffing
resistors is further adapted to interface the IGP to video graphics
array (VGA) and television (TV) output display panels.
24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the field-changeable
graphics card is an active graphics card comprising a graphics
processing unit (GPU).
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the edge connector is
adapted to cause a peripheral component interface (PCI) express
signal to be routed from a driver to the active graphics card.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the active graphics card is
adapted to generate VGA, TV, LVDS and DVI signals.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein a second set of stuffing
resistors is adapted to interface the active graphics card to
output display panels for VGA, TV, DVI and LVDS.
28. Apparatus comprising: a motherboard usable in a laptop
computing device; a central processing unit mounted to the
motherboard; an integrated graphics processor (IGP) mounted to the
motherboard; a field-changeable graphics card Interfaced to the
motherboard; and a plurality of muxes adapted for interfacing the
field-changeable graphics card to a plurality of output display
panels, wherein the field-changeable graphics card resides in an
independent, spaced-apart relation relative to the motherboard.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus further
comprises an edge connector mounted to the motherboard and
comprising a plurality of connector pins adapted for engaging the
field-changeable graphics card in order to route signals from the
motherboard to the field-changeable graphics card.
30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the field-changeable
graphics card is a passive loop-through card.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of muxes is
adapted to interface the passive loop-though card to an output
display panel for low voltage differential signaling (LVDS)
signals.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a first connector pin on the
edge connector is adapted to cause the LVDS signals to be routed
from a driver, through the passive loop-through card and to an LVDS
output display panel.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the plurality of muxes is
further adapted to interface the passive loop-through card to an
output display panel for digital video interface (DVI) signals.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the passive loop-through
card further comprises a transmission minimized differential
signaling (TMDS) transmitter for driving TMDS outputs on DVI
signal.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the plurality of muxes is
further adapted to interface the IGP to video graphics array (VGA)
and television (TV) output display panels.
36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the field-changeable
graphics card is an active graphics card comprising a graphics
processing unit (GPU).
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the plurality of muxes is
adapted to automatically reconfigure to receive and transmit
signals from the active graphics card.
38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the edge connector is
adapted to cause a peripheral component interface (PCI) express
signal to be routed from a driver to the active graphics card.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the active graphics card is
adapted to generate VGA, TV, LVDS and DVI signals.
40. Connector for interfacing a field-changeable card to a
computing device motherboard comprising: a plurality of connector
pins adapted for routing signals from a motherboard to a
field-changeable card, the field-changeable card having circuitry
for performing a rendering function for use in the computing
device, wherein a first connector pin of the plurality of connector
pins is adapted to detect the presence of the field-changeable card
and to cause the signals to be routed accordingly.
41. The connector of claim 40, wherein the field-changeable card is
a graphics card comprising a graphics processing unit.
42. The connector of claim 40, wherein the field-changeable card is
an audio chip.
43. The connector of claim 16, wherein the connector is further
adapted to maintain a graphics card in a substantially parallel,
spaced apart relation relative to the motherboard.
44. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a first connector pin of the
plurality of connector pins is adapted to detect the presence of
the field-changeable graphics card and to cause the signals to be
routed accordingly.
45. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the connector is a
right-angle edge connector mounted to the motherboard.
46. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a voltage detected by the
first connector pin indicates a mode of the interfaced graphics
system.
47. The connector of claim 46, wherein a low voltage detected by
the first connector pin indicates that an active graphics card is
interfaced to the connector.
48. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a high voltage detected by
the first connector pin indicates that a passive loop-through card
is interfaced to the connector.
49. The connector of claim 29, wherein the connector is further
adapted to maintain a graphics card in a substantially parallel,
spaced apart relation relative to the motherboard.
50. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a first connector pin of the
plurality of connector pins is adapted to detect the presence of
the field-changeable graphics card and to cause the signals to be
routed accordingly.
51. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the connector is a
right-angle edge connector mounted to the motherboard.
52. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a voltage detected by the
first connector pin indicates a mode of the interfaced graphics
system.
53. The connector of claim 52, wherein a low voltage detected by
the first connector pin indicates that an active graphics card is
interfaced to the connector.
54. The connector of claim 29, wherein a high voltage detected by
the first connector pin indicates that a passive loop-through card
is interfaced to the connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to computer hardware and
relates more particularly to a field changeable graphics system for
a computing device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Contemporary computing devices typically incorporate a
graphics card that enables a computing device to rapidly process
graphics related data for graphics intensive applications, such as
gaming applications. A graphics card generally comprises a printed
circuit board (PCB) upon which a plurality of circuit components
(such as memory chips and the like) and a graphics processing unit
(GPU) are mounted. In "closed platform" computing devices such as
laptop computers, cellular telephones and personal digital
assistants (PDAs) (i.e., devices that use processors and are not
easily changed by a user), the graphics card is mounted directly
and permanently to the motherboard of the computing device.
[0005] One drawback to mounting the graphics card directly to the
motherboard is that this fixed configuration impedes a user's
ability to upgrade the computing device's graphics system.
Specifically, in order to take advantage of an improved graphics
system, the user typically must purchase an entirely new computing
device, which is much more costly than a simple replacement of the
graphics system in the existing computing device.
[0006] A second drawback is that the pace of graphics innovations
that can be conveniently delivered to computing device users is
hindered, because the implementation of on-board devices is
typically limited by a design cycle of approximately nine to twelve
months.
[0007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a field changeable
graphics system for a computing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One embodiment of an edge connector for a field changeable
graphics system includes a right angle edge connector having a
plurality of contact pins adapted to engage contacts on a graphics
card. The edge connector is adapted to interface the graphics card
with the motherboard of a computing device, without directly
mounting the graphics card to the motherboard.
[0009] One advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it is
compatible with a plurality of graphics cards and systems, thereby
enabling a computing device user to upgrade the existing device's
graphics system. Thus, the user is not forced to purchase an
entirely new computing device in order to take advantage of
graphics innovations. This advantage is particularly significant
for users of portable computing devices, such as laptop computers,
cellular telephones and PDAs, or other devices traditionally having
fixed graphics functionality such as video game consoles.
[0010] A further advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that
it enables upgrades to low voltage differential signaling (LVDS)
features, without the need for an additional (and typically costly)
device that is capable of operating at LVDS data rates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a field changeable
graphics system, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating a graphics card for
use in field changeable graphics system of FIG. 1, according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3A-B are tables illustrating one embodiment of a
pinout for the edge connector illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIGS. 4A-C are tables containing contact pin descriptions
for each signal type identified in FIGS. 3A-B;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a table summarizing the power that must be
supplied through an edge connector from a motherboard to a graphics
card, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configurable
graphics system according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating graphics system
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a
user-upgradeable graphics system, according to one embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a
user-upgradeable graphics system, according to another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a field changeable
graphics system 100, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Graphics system 100 is adaptable for use with any type
of computing device, including, without limitation, a desktop
computer, server, laptop computer, palm-sized computer, personal
digital assistant, tablet computer, game console, cellular
telephone, computer-based simulator and the like. As will be
explained in further detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-7B,
graphics system 100 is configured to ensure compatibility with a
plurality of field changeable graphics cards.
[0021] Generally, graphics system 100 is configured to interface
with a computing device motherboard 102 in lieu of a conventional
graphics card and includes, without limitation, a graphics card 104
and an interface assembly 150. Graphics card 104 includes a GPU and
a plurality of circuit components including memory (not shown)
mounted to a first face 101, typically facing away from motherboard
102. Graphics card 104 further comprises a card connector 106
positioned along an edge 105 of graphics card 104 and adapted to
engage interface assembly 150. Several embodiments of field
changeable graphics cards suitable for use in graphics system 100
are described in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ by Bisson et al.
(Attorney Docket No. NVDA/P001196), which is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0022] As also described in further detail below in conjunction
with FIGS. 2-5, graphics system 100 is configured to interface with
motherboard 102 without being directly mounted to motherboard 102.
This is enabled by interface assembly 150, which includes, without
limitation, one or more supports 108 and an edge connector 114.
Supports 108 are mounted to motherboard 102 and extend upward
therefrom to engage graphics card 104. Supports 108 are adapted to
stably maintain graphics card 104 in a spaced-apart orientation
relative to motherboard 102. In one embodiment, supports 108 are
sized to maintain a distance d between graphics card 104 and
motherboard 102 that is approximately 4mm.
[0023] Also as described in conjunction with FIG. 2, edge connector
114 is mounted to motherboard 102 and includes a lengthwise channel
116 having a plurality of contacts disposed on upper and lower
surfaces 118, 120. The contacts are adapted for engaging card
connector 106 on graphics card 104, for routing external and
internal interfaces from graphics card 104 to motherboard 102.
[0024] FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of
an edge connector 200 according to the present invention. Edge
connector 200 is adapted to route all internal and external
interfaces from a graphics card (e.g., graphics card 104 of FIG. 1)
to a motherboard of a computing device. Edge connector 200
comprises an elongated body 202 having a longitudinal slot 204
formed therein. Longitudinal slot 204 is sized to receive an edge
of a graphics card connector (e.g., card connector 106). In one
embodiment, longitudinal slot 204 is sized to accommodate card
thicknesses of up to 1.2 mm. Contact pins (not shown) disposed on
top and bottom surfaces 206, 208 of longitudinal slot 204 are
adapted to interface with contacts on a card connector.
[0025] FIGS. 3A-B are tables illustrating one embodiment of a
pinout for edge connector 200. Each contact pin on edge connector
200 is associated with an individual signal (e.g., power input,
ground and the like). In the embodiment illustrated, edge connector
200 utilizes a 230-pin card-edge connection system, wherein contact
pins on edge connector 200 are rated for 0.5 A steady state
current. FIGS. 4A-C are tables containing contact pin descriptions
for each signal type identified in FIGS. 3A-B. Input/output
classifications in FIGS. 4A-C are relative to a GPU mounted on the
graphics card. References to "MXM module" indicate a graphics card
according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a table summarizing the power that must be
supplied by the motherboard to a graphics card, i.e., through edge
connector 200, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. If the motherboard's power supply equals or exceeds the
power requirements summarized in FIG. 5, a graphics card interfaced
to an edge connector according to the present invention (e.g., edge
connector 200) will run at full speed. However, the interface will
also allow a graphics card to detect power supply limitations of
the motherboard and to automatically throttle its clocks to stay
within the limits of the available power.
[0027] In addition to the power requirements summarized in FIG. 5,
a motherboard must meet a plurality of additional system
requirements in order to effectively interface to a graphics system
of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the
motherboard is required to place a serial ROM that connects to the
DDCC_DAT and DDCC_CLK signals (e.g., connector pins 220 and 222 in
FIG. 3B). In addition, the motherboard must provide back drive
isolation and level shifting, for all DDC lines, VGA_HSYNC and
VGA_VSYNC signals (e.g., connector pins 151 and 153). Furthermore,
the motherboard must provide power to the computing device LVDS
panel, and must route all RGB signals and TV_out signals with 37.5
Ohms impedance. In one embodiment, the motherboard is also required
to have output filters on all VGA output lines and on all TV output
lines, the filters being positioned as closely as possible to the
connector pins. Input filters are required on the DVI_B_HPD and
DVI_A_HPD lines (e.g., connector pins 191 and 217), and the
graphics card will provide level shifting and clamping for the
DVI_B_HPD and DVI_A_HPD signals.
[0028] In one embodiment, an edge connector according to the
present invention (e.g., edge connector 200) is adapted to detect a
graphics mode of a computing device, and to cause display
interfaces to be routed from a graphics card to the motherboard
accordingly. Specifically, the PRSNT#1 connector pin on the edge
connector (e.g., pin 134 in the pinout of FIGS. 3A-B) is adapted to
detect if a graphics upgrade, such as any one of the graphics cards
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, has been
implemented in the computing device. In one embodiment, a voltage
detected by the PRSNT #1 connector pin indicates the presence of a
graphics upgrade. For example, a high voltage detected by the
PRSNT#1 connector pin indicates that a "dummy" or "loop-through"
card (e.g., a card with no graphics processing unit) is interfaced
to the edge connector, as explained in further detail in
conjunction with FIGS. 6A and 7A below. Alternatively, a low
voltage detected by the PRSNT#1 connector pin indicates that a
graphics upgrade such as a graphics card is interfaced to the edge
connector, as explained in further detail in conjunction with FIGS.
6B and 7B below. [Note to inventors: What is considered a "high" or
"low" voltage for the purposes of determining which card is
in?]
[0029] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configurable
graphics system 600, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The output topology illustrated in FIG. 6A depicts a
manufacturing-end graphics configuration (i.e., graphics system 600
is incorporated during assembly of the computing device). Graphics
system 600 comprises a standard integrated graphics processor (IGP)
612 (driven in one embodiment by a Northbridge chip set, not
shown), a loop-through card 650, and a plurality of display panels
604-610 for video graphics array (VGA), television (TV), low
voltage differential signaling (LVDS) and digital video interface
(DVI) signals. The display output signals are generated by IGP 612
in conjunction with loop-through card 650, as described further
below.
[0030] Loop-through card 650 may be implemented in graphics system
600 in place of a conventional LVDS capable device. As described
above, the PRSNT #1 connector pin on the edge connector detects a
high voltage and sends a corresponding signal to the Northbridge
chip set indicating the presence of loop-through card 650.
Consequently, the Northbridge outputs LVDS signals to the edge
connector, in one embodiment connecting the signals to the IGP_LVDS
connector pins [Note to inventors: Which pins are these? Do not see
on pinout]. The passive loop-through card 650 completes the circuit
paths between the output signals and the LVDS panel input signals.
Thus, the edge connector, in conjunction with loop-through card
650, enables a computing device user to implement LVDS features
without the need to implement complex (and costly) traditional
LVDS-capable devices.
[0031] In one embodiment, the graphics system 600 further supports
DVI. In this embodiment, DVI signals are output to the DVI_A
connector pins (e.g., connector pins 219, 221, 225, 227, 231, 233,
237 and 239 in FIG. 3B) on the edge connector and routed to
loop-through card 650, which further comprises a transmission
minimized differential signaling (TMDS) transmitter for driving
TMDS outputs on received signals. TV and VGA signals are output
from the Northbridge chip set to IGP 612 in accordance with
standard IGP operation.
[0032] In one embodiment, graphics system 600 further comprises a
plurality of stuffing resistors 614a and 614b (shown in phantom)
adapted for completing the circuits from IGP 612 and from
loop-through card 650 to display panels 604-610. During assembly of
a computing system, a manufacturer may configure graphics system
600 to operate in the mode described (e.g., incorporating
loop-through card 650) by closing the circuit paths through
resistors 614a and leaving the circuit paths through resistors 614b
open.
[0033] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a manufacturer may
close the circuit paths through resistors 614b and leave the
circuit paths through resistors 614a open, in order to implement an
active graphics card. In this embodiment, graphics system 600
comprises a graphics card 660 in place of loop-through card 650.
Graphics card 660 may be configured in a manner similar to any one
of the graphics cards described in U.S. Pat. No. ______. Graphics
card 660 generates substantially all display output signals, as
described further below.
[0034] As described above, the PRSNT #1 connector pin on the edge
connector detects a low voltage and sends a corresponding signal to
the Northbridge chip set indicating the presence of graphics card
660. Consequently, the Northbridge outputs a peripheral component
interface (PCI) Express signal to the edge connector, which routes
the signal to graphics card 660. VGA, TV, LVDS and DVI signals are
subsequently generated by graphics card 660. As described above,
stuffing resistors 614b complete the circuits from graphics card
660 to display panels 604-610.
[0035] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a graphics
system 700 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The output topology illustrated in FIG. 7A depicts a
user-upgradeable configuration. That is, a user may upgrade
graphics system 700 on demand, by simply exchanging one
field-exchangeable graphics card for another. Graphics system 700
is substantially similar to graphics system 600 illustrated in FIG.
6A and comprises an IGP 712, a loop-through card 702, and a
plurality of display panels 704-710 for VGA, TV, LVDS and DVI
signals. The display output signals are generated by IGP 712 in
conjunction with loop-through card 702, as described further
below.
[0036] LVDS and DVI signals are output by the Northbridge to the
edge connector as described above in conjunction with FIG. 6A. The
passive loop-through card 702 completes the circuit paths between
the output signals and the LVDS and DVI panel input signals. TV and
VGA signals are output from the Northbridge chip set to IGP 712 in
accordance with standard IGP operation. In one embodiment, graphics
system 700 further comprises a plurality of muxes 714 adapted for
receiving and transmitting IGP-initiated signals (e.g., for VGA and
TV signals). During assembly of a computing system, a manufacturer
may configure graphics system 700 to operate in the mode
illustrated in FIG. 7A (e.g., incorporating loop-through card 702)
as a default.
[0037] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating graphics system
700 in an upgraded mode. Graphics system 700 is substantially
similar to graphics system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6B and comprises
an IGP 702, a plurality of display panels 704-710 for VGA, TV, LVDS
and DVI signals and an active graphics card 760 in place of
loop-through card 702.
[0038] When the presence of graphics card 760 is detected, the
Northbridge sends a PCI Express signal through the edge connector
and to graphics card 760. Muxes 714 are configured to automatically
reconfigure to connect VGA and TV circuit paths to graphics card
760.
[0039] An edge connector according to the present invention may
thus be configured to enable a computing device user to upgrade an
existing device's graphics system with minimal expense. Because the
edge connector is adapted to work with a plurality of
field-changeable graphics cards, the user is not forced to purchase
an entirely new computing device in order to take advantage of
graphics innovations. This advantage is particularly significant
for users of portable computing devices, such as laptop computers
and PDAs, in which graphics systems are frequently difficult or
impossible to alter.
[0040] A further advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that
it enables upgrades to LVDS features. Typical devices capable of
operating at LVDS data rates tend to be rather costly. However, by
configuring the edge connector of the present invention to enable
LVDS signals to "loop through" a passive card, the versatility of
the graphics system is enhanced with minimal cost to the user.
[0041] Moreover, though the present invention has been described in
terms of graphics cards, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the invention may be adapted for use with other devices that
are typically hardwired to a motherboard, such as audio chips and
the like.
[0042] Thus, the present invention represents a significant
advancement in the field of computing device graphics systems. An
edge connector is provided that enables a plurality of
field-changeable graphics systems to interface to a single
computing device motherboard. The edge connector thus maximizes the
graphics options that may be implemented in an existing computing
device, allowing computing device users greater ability to take
advantage of graphics innovations.
[0043] Furthermore, the present invention grants more flexibility
to computing device manufacturers, since it removes the
approximately nine to twelve month design cycle for on-board
implementations. The present invention also enables the
build-to-order, stock-to-order and field repair of any of the
systems disclosed, which is a significant advancement for a global
economy having needs for just-in-time manufacturing and inventory
management.
[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the
present invention has been described in the context of closed
platform computing devices such as laptop computers, cellular
telephones and PDAs, the present invention may be adapted for use
with any device that uses a processor and is not easily changed by
a user, such as automotive navigation systems, entertainment
systems, all-in-one personal computers, printers and the like.
Moreover, although the present invention has been described in the
context of standardized, field changeable graphics cards, the
present invention may be deployed in other form factors such as
credit card polymer substrates with embedded chips, and postage
stamp-sized, self-contained devices, among others.
[0045] Although the invention has been described above with
reference to specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will
understand that various modifications and changes may be made
thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing
description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *